Sdwd

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
YAY for Rex! Funny how differently the different breeds mature, isn't it. The Delawares and New Hampshires are my fastest growing-maturing, for sure. The English Orps are the slowest.

A neighbor that tans hides (or whatever) came and got coon #22. He said it was the biggest he has seen for a long time, and plans to keep the skin and tail for himself.

 

[speckledhen]

My hatchery Rocks always matured early, as did the Delawares. I remember Ike and his brothers at 9 weeks old starting to crow at the same time. I called them the Kazoo Band.

 

[Inkheart]

wow that must have been one big coon!

I am now trapping rats! Under the outside pen/run i noticed sometihng was digging underneath and all this gravel was kicked up - so i set the trap last night and caught a big ole healthy RAT! grrrrr

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
My Delawares mature quickly, but the Paul Harter line is much slower to mature. For example, my June 20 hatch Delaware boys are the same size as my April 1 Harter pullets. Funny how different lines were obviously bred for different things. If I recall correctly, I believe Paul breeds for egg production first, or one of the first things anyway.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Get 'em, Knox!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Cyn, I am glad the intergration is going well for Ranger. Maybe Ike is glad for the extra help. My BR has yet to crow and he is almost 22 weeks old. I do have several others crowing.

Wow Kathy! Another one? I think we might have a skunk either under the shed or out in the brush pile near the coop. I was out taking pics of the gang yesterday and I could faintly smell one. DH said he could smell one today. I am keeping the dogs on a tight leash for now.

I have a one year old Delaware hen that keeps on going in the nest box, sitting for a long time and then she gets off and loudly sings the egg song but there is nothing there. Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I don't think she has laid an egg for quite a while.

 

[speckledhen]

That's ominous, Laura. My own Ellie has done the same thing. I believe an egg has dropped into her abdomen. I can feel it, just like happened to Maxie. It's definitely not in her oviduct and I know she'll be gone soon. Hope that's not what's wrong with your girl.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Thanks Cyn, I appreciate your input. I was afraid that it sounded bad. I will try feeling her belly tonight when they go to roost.

By the way, I named one of my little BR pullets, Speckles. After a certain someone that loves BR's.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
Aw, that's a cute name. Wonder who you named it after? It's not really me, is it? I do adore my BRs!

I can feel something large and oval in Ellie's abdomen and I can move it back and forth and it's hard. Same thing happened with Maxie. It kills me. Ellie is the best of the Dellie personality. She's friendly and sweet without being a major pest about it, more like a BR, really. Georgie is a PITA and will bite to get attention, but not sweet Ellie.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I am so sorry Cyn

I just hate this part of chicken keeping

Yes the name is after you

The other one is Barbara

, because everyone needs a Barbara.